About Merle

Having made an indelible mark on the Broadway stage, television and video games, Merle Dandridge continues to shine on the small screen, most well-known for starring as Grace Greenleaf in the Oprah Winfrey produced and NAACP-winning hit series “Greenleaf”. Most recently as a series regular in the Emmy-nominated first season of HBO Max’s “The Flight Attendant”, she can currently be seen in “Truth Be Told” starring Octavia Spencer on Apple TV+ and in the upcoming HBO adaptation of “The Last of Us” for which she is reprising her role as Marlene from the award-winning video games.

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Born in Japan, raised in Nebraska and schooled in Chicago at Roosevelt University, Dandridge began her acting career with leading roles on Broadway in Spamalot (Lady of the Lake), Rent (Joanne), Aida (Aida), Tarzan(Kala) and Jesus Christ Superstar (Soul Girl, Disciple). Most recently, she played the role of Papa Ge, the sly demon of death, in the Tony Award-winning Broadway revival of Ahrens and Flaherrty's "Once on This Island", for which she received a Grammy Award nomination for Best Musical Theater Album. Dandridge is the first woman to ever play this role, completely reinventing the character with her fearless portrayal. She has toured the U.S. and Europe six times and has been featured in several regional theatre productions (including multiple stints at The Geffen Playhouse and Pasadena Playhouse). She has also performed at The Hollywood Bowl and at Royal Albert Hall in London.

Dandridge has voiced several videogame characters and worked alongside Neil Druckmann in “Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End” and starred as Marlene in “The Last Of Us” for which she will reprise her role in the highly-anticipated HBO adaptation. She has also voiced various characters in “Dota 2”, Alyx Vance in “Half-Life 2”, and Katherine Collins in the Award-winning independent video game “Everybody’s Gone To The Rapture” for which she won the 2016 BAFTA for “Best Performer”.

In her Nebraska hometown, Merle has been inducted into the Hall of Fame where she spends time giving workshops, speeches, performances and participating in projects to raise arts awareness for the school district she grew up in. In Los Angeles, where she currently resides, she serves on the Board of Directors and co-chairs the DEI Committee of The Geffen Playhouse. She also lends her voice, support, and serves as a mentor at Harvest Home LA which provides housing and holistic support to homeless pregnant woman.

Merle's Thoughts

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"When I can no more stir my soul to move, and life is but the ashes of a fire; When I can but remember that my heart once used to live and love, long and aspire; Oh, be thou then the first, the one thou art, be thou the calling, before all answering love, And in me wake hope, fear, boundless desire."

- Diary of an Old Soul

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"I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through Him who gives me strength."

- Philippians 4:12-13

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"To my friend, my comforter, my provider, my father…I give all my thanks, praise and passionate love to a tremendous God who has carried me over the highest mountains and lit my path in the darkest valleys. May everyone experience such a love!"